WHEN THE SAINTS COME MARCHING IN

Apocalyptic hymn from the Book of Revelations. Developed as a song in the Bahamas and in New Orleans, where early in the twentieth century it became a funeral standard. Played in a slow version while on their way to the graveyard, quicker on the way out. Buddy Bolden was reported to be the very first to integrate this kind of church stuff into his dancehall routine.

According to jazz critic Al Rose this tune was first published as a Baptist hymn in 1916 and credited to Edward Boatner, the man behind reli-classic He's Got The Whole World In His Hands (see there). Not to be confused with When The Saints Are March­ing In, written by Katherine Purvis and James Black in 1896.